England's Paceman Mark Wood Expresses Quiet Confidence for Ashes First Test
Wood has been absent from Test cricket for over a year.
England's pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.
The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan in February and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.
The Champions Trophy and India series which came before was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem which sidelined him since August 2024.
"The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when it seemed that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered."
"I faced setbacks a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and my speed is increasing."
The opener of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win in Australia in over a decade.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, bowling well during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can make my case for the first Test," Wood continued, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back.
"The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but I'm in a good position now and hope to push forward for that game."
"I avoid making statements claiming, 'Yes, I'm pumped, I'm set'. I feel assured at the minute and more optimistic, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australia's Injury Worries
At the same time, worries for Australia regarding the health of players have led to player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series against India, which starts on Sunday.
Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort at training this week," the cricket board stated.
"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back to play in round three of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the series."
Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start October 28th.
